What We Do

Attracting attendance from around the globe, IDEA hosts an Annual Conference and Trade Show and Campus Energy Conference, along with regional events. Our “best-in-industry” technical content, programming, and workshops represent best practices and emerging technologies that drive the industry forward. Our conferences and events offer rich networking and educational opportunities and provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to attendees. View Upcoming IDEA Events

Founded in 1909 as the National District Heating Association, IDEA continues to inform, connect, and advance the district energy industry around the globe. Starting in 1909, IDEA hosts an Annual Conference and Trade Show and added its Campus Energy Conference in 1988 and an International District Cooling Conference in 2007. 

View Historic List of IDEA Annual Conferences and Chairs

View Historic List of IDEA Campus Energy Conferences

View Historic List of IDEA International District Cooling Conferences

IDEA is pleased to publish its bylaws for your review, revised on February 10, 2020. 

Read the Bylaws of the International District Energy Association

Continuing the discussion from business relationships forged at conferences, IDEA’s membership has access to Online Community Forums, connecting them directly with industry experts willing to share their depth of experience and knowledge. Members pose questions to a peer group full of practical experience knowledge of best practices.

District Energy Magazine

Published since 1915, District Energy Magazine continues to be an authoritative source of district energy industry news & information. Included with membership, IDEA offers both a print and digital version of the magazine with a readership of more than 10,000 industry professionals.

Other Publications

Additionally, IDEA publishes collaborative technical handbooks such as the District Heating Handbook, District Cooling Guide, the U.S. and Canadian versions of the Community Energy Guide, and more to offer technical guidance to focused audiences.